The room was all echoing my name, that’s was all I could hear from left to right as just as I planned to escape from this spotlight Reuben won’t also let go of me…he continued to hold me tight but to my surprise the queen didn’t make a move to come close to me in anyway. I was expecting to come and pull me out of the ball and maybe embarrass me with a slap but all she did was stare back at me with a frown and anytime the cameraman's attention is on her she smiles like everything is perfect.“Wow, I guess I made a really good pick..it is none other than my wife-to-be who ended up being my dance on my birthday night.” Reuben said into the microphone which was handed to him after the dance ended, I looked up at him in surprise to why he was suddenly acting so nice to me but all he did was whisper to me.“Smile to the camera, the world is watching and I am more than sure you won’t like them to see a frown on your face.” After those words I immediately had a wide smile on my face as I wave
I was soon tossed to an unknown person who was still the only one with his mask, I could feel his grin even with the mask on and it made me confused.“You look beautiful, you always look beautiful..I always told you that but tonight I mean it.” With those words I realized who it was, it was none other than Demetrius. I tried to pull away from him but he was holding on to me so tightly while Rueben stood still waiting for me to return to his arms, He could notice that I was being held too tightly and I was also clearly aware that he knew it was his brother and that’s why he hadn’t come to pull me away.“Let go of me Demetrius.” I whimpered hoping he would listen to me but he clearly wasn’t going to.“Rueben can never love you and if you think marrying him would make you the queen then stop dreaming because I am still the rightful king.” He muttered to me before letting go of me harshly.“Naomi.” Rueben called as I walked towards him but instead of walking into his arms which was opene
And to my disbelief Rueben seemed very happy with her words, he was seriously looking forward to having an intimate session with Rachel despite how he had just supported me earlier.My heart sank as I watched Rueben's attention shift towards Rachel. It was as if I didn't exist anymore, and it hurt more than she could bear. I couldn't understand how Rueben could be so happy and excited about meeting Rachel, especially after everything that had just happened.I tried to keep my composure, but deep down, I was terrified. I couldn't shake the feeling that Rueben might leave me for Rachel. The thought of losing him to someone else made my heart ache.Every time Rueben attempted to excuse himself to meet Rachel, I found a way to keep him by my side. I didn't want to appear clingy, but I couldn't bear the thought of him going to Rachel.I held onto his arm tightly, pretending to be scared of the crowd or feeling unwell, just to ensure that he wouldn't leave me alone. Rueben seemed confused b
I wanted to run away, to escape from the pain that was consuming me. But something held me back. I couldn't tear myself away from the scene. It was as if I needed to see it, to feel the pain, to confirm that my worst fears had indeed come true.As the tears streamed down my face, I couldn't help but question everything. Had I been foolish to believe that Rueben could change? Had I been blind to his true nature all along? It felt like my world was crumbling around me, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.But amidst the pain and despair, a fire ignited within me. I refused to let this define me. I refused to let Rueben's betrayal break me. I would not let him have that power over me.With a newfound strength, I turned away from the heartbreaking scene and walked away. The tears still fell, but my determination grew stronger with each step. I would not let this destroy me.As I ran away from that painful scene, the sound of Martha's voice calling out to me sliced through the haze
I wanted to run away, to escape from the pain that was consuming me. But something held me back. I couldn't tear myself away from the scene. It was as if I needed to see it, to feel the pain, to confirm that my worst fears had indeed come true.As the tears streamed down my face, I couldn't help but question everything. Had I been foolish to believe that Rueben could change? Had I been blind to his true nature all along? It felt like my world was crumbling around me, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.But amidst the pain and despair, a fire ignited within me. I refused to let this define me. I refused to let Rueben's betrayal break me. I would not let him have that power over me.With a newfound strength, I turned away from the heartbreaking scene and walked away. The tears still fell, but my determination grew stronger with each step. I would not let this destroy me.As I ran away from that painful scene, the sound of Martha's voice calling out to me sliced through the haze
I stared at my reflection on the wall as I adored the dress, how I was never unable to find this dress or did he just buy the dress newly. Did Rueben buy it specifically for this occasion? The fabric shimmered in the light, and the intricate details seemed to come alive.Lost in my thoughts, I was brought back to reality when Martha walked into the room. She had a knowing smile on her face as she approached me. "My queen, Rueben, is waiting for you outside in his car. He said it's time for the surprise," she informed me.My curiosity peaked, and excitement bubbled within me. What could this surprise be? I couldn't wait any longer to find out. Without wasting a moment, I hurriedly made my way out of the room, feeling a surge of confidence in the stunning dress Rueben had chosen for me.As I stepped outside, the cool night air brushed against my skin, and I saw Rueben leaning against his car, looking dashing as ever. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and a smile tugged at the corners of h
I woke the next morning to a wide smile on my face. I have never felt this happy since I stepped foot into this palace. I even woke up before Martha could come to wake me up just to show how joyful and happy I was with all that was transpiring in my life.I heard a soft knock on the door, and Martha's voice called out, "Naomi, are you awake?"I couldn't help but grin as I called back, "Yes, Martha, I'm awake!"The door swung open, and Martha entered the room, a surprised expression on her face. "Well, well, well, look who's up before I even had the chance to wake you," she said, a playful tone in her voice.I chuckled, feeling a sense of lightness and joy in my heart. "I couldn't sleep in today, Martha. There's just too much happiness bubbling inside me."Martha's eyes widened, and she rushed over to me, excitement evident on her face. "What happened, Naomi? Did something wonderful happen?"I couldn't contain my smile any longer as I recounted the events of the previous night, startin
I took a deep breath, wiping away the last traces of tears from my face, determined to show a strong facade as I reentered the dining hall. The pain was still fresh, but I refused to let Rueben's betrayal break me completely. It was time to assert myself and show everyone that I would not be easily swayed.As I walked into the room, I could feel the tension in the air. The queen's eyes darted towards me, surprise evident in her gaze. Rueben's expression held a mix of guilt and confusion as he tried to meet my eyes. But I kept my gaze focused ahead, refusing to acknowledge his presence.I took my seat at the table, trying to maintain my composure. The queen's piercing gaze lingered on me, and I could sense her curiosity. She was likely wondering what had changed within me, why I suddenly seemed distant and uninterested.Rueben, unable to bear the silence any longer, cleared his throat and attempted to start a conversation. "Naomi, I hope you slept well. I noticed you were up early this
lThe weight of Demetrius's words hit me like a ton of bricks. My heart raced, and a sense of dread settled in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't believe what I had just revealed to him in my moment of desperation. I had unknowingly given him a weapon to use against me and Reuben."You can't be serious," I whispered, my voice trembling. "You wouldn't stoop so low as to deceive the Queen and claim my child as your own."Demetrius's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with malicious delight. "Oh, but I would, Naomi. I would do anything to secure my place on the throne. And what better way than to present the Queen with an heir, one that she believes is mine."Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized the extent of Demetrius's wickedness. He was willing to manipulate everyone, even his own mother, just to fulfill his lust for power."But the Queen will see through your lies," I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper. "She knows the truth, and she will never accept you as the rightful King."
The events of the past few hours came rushing back to me, and I felt a wave of fear wash over me. Demetrius had captured me once again, and I was at his mercy.Before I could gather my thoughts, the sound of the door creaking open filled the room. Demetrius stepped in, his eyes filled with a sadistic gleam. My heart pounded in my chest as he approached me, his presence filling the room with a suffocating aura."Well, well, well," Demetrius sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Look who's finally awake. Did you miss me, Naomi?"I shrank back, trying to create as much distance between us as possible. "Demetrius, please, let me go. I beg you. There's nothing between us. I want to be free."Demetrius chuckled darkly, his voice laced with contempt. "Oh, Naomi, you always did know how to make me laugh. But you see, you're mine now. And I won't let you slip away again."Tears welled up in my eyes as I pleaded with him, my voice trembling. "Please, Demetrius, I'm begging you. Think of the
Chapter 156Jade pleaded with me to reconsider my decision, I could feel my resolve weakening. His words echoed in my mind, reminding me of the love and happiness I had shared with Reuben. But deep down, I knew that returning to the palace was not the right path for me or my child."Jade, please understand," I pleaded, my voice trembling. "I can't go back. I can't live a life that isn't true to myself. And I can't bear to grow up in a world of duty and tradition."Jade's eyes filled with tears, and he reached out to gently touch my arm. "Naomi, I can't force you to do anything you don't want to do. But please, consider the consequences of your decision. Reuben loves you, and he wants to be a part of your life."I nodded, my heart heavy with the weight of my choices. "I understand, Jade. But for now, I need to do what I believe is best for myself and Please, respect my decision and don't come back."Jade's expression was filled with a mix of sadness and understanding. He nodded slowly,
It had been two weeks since I left the palace and settled down in the bakery with my parents and sister, Salie. Life had taken a drastic turn, and while I missed Rueben dearly, I knew that leaving was the right decision. The weight of tradition and duty had become too heavy to bear, and I needed time and space to sort through my emotions.But lately, something unusual has been happening to me. I had been feeling nauseous in the mornings, and my appetite had changed. The thought crossed my mind that I might be pregnant, but it seemed impossible. Rueben and I had never been intimate more than once, and I couldn't fathom how it could have happened quickly.The morning sickness persisted, and I couldn't shake off the worry that gnawed at the back of my mind. I confided in Salie, who listened attentively and offered her support."Naomi, it's possible that it's just a stomach bug or something you ate," Salie reassured me, her voice filled with concern. "But if you're really worried, maybe y
Surprised by my mother's statement, I turned to face her, confusion evident in my eyes. "Rachel?" I repeated, my voice laced with uncertainty. "But mother, I thought we agreed that it was best for Naomi and me to part ways."The Queen's expression softened, her eyes filled with a mix of understanding and determination. "Rueben, I understand your reasoning, and I respect your desire to do what is best for both yourself and Naomi. But we must also consider the implications of breaking the promise made by our forefathers. The council members and the people of our kingdom hold great importance to tradition and stability. By choosing Rachel as your queen, we can maintain that sense of continuity while also fostering a sense of unity among our people."I took a moment to absorb my mother's words, feeling torn between my own desires and the weight of responsibility placed upon me. The council members watched me expectantly, their eyes filled with a mix of hope and concern.But as I glanced a
Exhausted from the weight of my decisions, I decided to lie down for a quick nap. Sleep had eluded me in recent days, my mind consumed by thoughts of Naomi and the consequences of my actions. As I drifted off into slumber, I hoped for a moment of respite from my troubled thoughts.But even in my sleep, I found no solace. My dreams were plagued by visions of Naomi, her tear-streaked face filled with anger and rejection. I reached out to her, desperate to explain myself, but she turned away, her words echoing in my mind."No, Rueben. I can never forgive you. You have hurt me too deeply."My heart pounded in my chest as I jolted awake, my body covered in a cold sweat. The image of Naomi's tearful rejection lingered, haunting me even in the waking world. But as I blinked away the remnants of my dream, I realized I was not alone.Standing by my bedside was my younger brother, Jade, his concern evident in his eyes. Jade had always been the calm and level-headed one, a stark contrast to my i
As I turned to walk away from the queen, my heart heavy with the weight of my decisions, her voice cut through the air like a knife."Think, Rueben," she sneered. "Think about what you've done to that poor girl. You took her innocence and claimed not to know her. Do you honestly believe she would ever accept you back? Even if you were to beg on your knees, she would never be your betrothed again. You have lost, Rueben. You have lost everything."Her words pierced my soul, each one a painful reminder of the irreversible damage I had caused. The realization hit me like a tidal wave, and I stumbled back, feeling as though the ground beneath me was crumbling away.No, it couldn't be true. I couldn't have lost Naomi forever. I couldn't bear the thought of a life without her by my side, of never hearing her laughter or seeing her smile again. But deep down, I knew that the queen was right. I had betrayed Naomi in the worst possible way, and there was no coming back from that.Tears welled u
As I closed the curtains, blocking out the view of Naomi's house, I made a vow to myself. I would do whatever it took to earn her forgiveness, to prove that I had changed. It wouldn't be easy, and there were no guarantees that she would ever accept me back into her life. But I couldn't live with the regret of losing her without trying.But as the days turned into weeks, my frustration and anger began to consume me. I couldn't shake the image of Naomi's smiling face, her laughter echoing in my mind. It haunted me, a constant reminder of what I had lost.Unable to contain my emotions any longer, I found myself smashing things around my apartment. The anger and regret boiled inside me, fueling my destructive actions. It was as if the physical pain could somehow alleviate the emotional turmoil I was experiencing.But no matter how many things I broke, the pain remained. I couldn't escape the reality of what I had done to Naomi, the hurt I had caused. It was a heavy burden to bear, and I f
A few days had passed since the intense encounter with the reporters, and I was determined to move forward with my life. I had made the decision to take my younger sister, Salie, out for a day of shopping, hoping to distract ourselves from the chaos that had consumed our lives.As we walked through the bustling shopping mall, I couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom. The weight of the world seemed to lift off my shoulders, replaced by a newfound lightness. Salie skipped ahead of me, her laughter filling the air, and for a moment, I allowed myself to forget about the pain and betrayal that had plagued me.But as we turned a corner, my heart skipped a beat. There, standing in the middle of the mall, was Rueben, arm in arm with Rachel. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt a surge of anger and hurt wash over me. How dare he show his face after what he had done?Rueben's eyes met mine, and for a split second, I saw a flicker of remorse. He began to approach me, his lips parting to